Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Presenting as High Output Cardiac Failure during Pregnancy

Obstetrical and neonatal complications in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively describe a large series of pregnancies in women with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia followed in our reference centre, plus neonatal outcomes, to better understand the risks of complications and to improve their prevention.

DESIGN

A retrospective descriptive study conducted through a phone questionnaire.

SETTING

Reference centre for hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia in Lyon, France.

POPULATION

Women meeting the following criteria: (1) alive and aged ≥18 years; (2) with a definite clinical and/or genetic diagnosis of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia; and (3) with at least one full-term pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies in women with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

RESULTS

Five hundred and sixty-two pregnancies were reported in 207 women with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. A total of 271 complications (48.2%) were registered. Of these, 149 (55%) non-specific complications, 110 (40.6%) non-severe specific complications and 12 (4.4%) severe specific complications were registered. There were four cases of haemoptysis and two cases of transient ischaemic attack related to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Four patients had severe decompensated dyspnoea, related to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in three cases and to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations associated with severe hepatic arteriovenous malformations in one case. Hepatobiliary necrosis occurred in one case. Epidural or spinal anaesthesia was performed in 139 of 452 deliveries (31%), without complications. There were 12 reports of congenital anomalies in 461 live births (3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Most pregnancies in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia women are uneventful; complications are rare but can be severe. Women thus need to be educated about screening and possible pregnancy-related risks before becoming pregnant.

[Diagnostic Criteria and Treatment of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia]

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT; Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome; Morbus Osler) represents a syndrome affecting capillary vessels, leading to arteriovenous shunting. With an average worldwide prevalence of 1:5.000-8.000 HHT is considered an orphan disease. Arteriovenous shunts involve predominantly the nasal mucosa, the intestine, lung, liver and central nervous system. Epistaxis is the primary and most bothersome complaint of patients with HHT. A multistage therapeutic concept includes nasal ointment, laser therapy under local anesthesia and surgery under general anesthesia, as well as drug therapies. In addition, screening to determine affection of internal organs is carried out. Lesions that require therapy should be treated in an interdisciplinary setting. Treatment of lesions of the skin, oral and gastrointestinal mucosa and liver is carried out in regard to patients' symptoms, whereas vascular malformations of the lung and brain might need treatment without being symptomatic, due to possible life-threatening complications.

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia and pregnancy: a review of the literature

Background

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a dominantly inherited genetic vascular disorder that has prevalence of 1:5000 to 1:8000, and which is characterised by recurrent epistaxis, cutaneous telangiectasia, and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that affect many organs including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and central nervous system.

The aim here was to carry out a review of the literature on HHT complications during pregnancy in order to guide management decisions.

Main body

A literature review was carried out to analyse all publications on complications that occurred during pregnancy in women with HHT. The PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases were searched. The complications observed in HHT women during pregnancy were then described.

The authors identified 5 case series and 31 case reports that describe the evolution of 1577 pregnancies in 630 women with HHT. The overall maternal death rate described in the case series was estimated at 1.0% of pregnancies in the case series and 2 maternal deaths occurred in 31 pregnancy case reports. Severe maternal complications occurred in 2.7 to 6.8% of pregnancies in the case series. Severe complications occurred mostly in the second and third trimester in non-diagnosed and non-screened HHT patients. Severe complications were related to visceral involvement. The most frequent complications were related to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) (haemothorax (n = 10), haemoptysis (n = 4), and severe hypoxaemia (n = 3)). Neurological complications were related to PAVMs in one case (right to left shunt) and to cerebral arteriovenous malformations (CAVM) and intracranial haemorrhage in 2 cases. Complications were related to hepatic arteriovenous malformations (HAVMs) in 8 cases (acutely decompensated heart failure due to hepatic involvement (n = 1), dyspnoea related to heart failure (n = 5), and hepatobiliary necrosis (n = 2)).

Conclusion

Based on the literature review, most pregnancies in HHT women occur normally. However, these pregnancies should be considered high-risk, given the potential life-threatening events related to AVM rupture. Furthermore, there is currently no international consensus regarding the medical follow-up of pregnancy in women with HHT and the aim here was to carry out a review of the literature in order to guide screening and management decisions for this rare disease.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and pregnancy: potential adverse events and pregnancy outcomes

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant condition with a prevalence of ~1 in 5,000 individuals. The pathophysiology of this condition centers on the lack of capillary beds between arterioles and venules, leading to direct contact between these vessels. This results in telangiectases on characteristic locations such as the face, fingers, mouth, and nasal mucosa. Visceral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are also observed in many patients, and these are most commonly seen in the brain, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. Liver AVMs are present in many patients with HHT, though these individuals are usually asymptomatic; however, liver AVMs may lead to serious complications, such as high output cardiac failure. Diagnosis of HHT hinges upon fulfilling three out of four criteria: family history of the condition, mucocutaneous telangiectases, spontaneous and recurrent episodes of epistaxis, and visceral AVMs. Management is guided by international consensus guidelines and targets patients’ specific AVMs. Prognosis is good, though severe complications including hemorrhage and paradoxical emboli are possible. Novel therapeutics are being explored in clinical trials; bevacizumab and pazopanib inhibit angiogenesis, while thalidomide bolsters blood vessel maturation. Pregnancy in patients with HHT is considered high risk. While the majority of pregnancies proceed normally, severe complications have been reported in some women with HHT; these include heart failure, intracranial hemorrhage, pulmonary hemorrhage, and stroke. Such complications occur most often in the second and third trimesters when maternal changes such as peripheral vasodilation and increased cardiac output are at their maximum. Awareness of the diagnosis of HHT has been associated with improved outcomes in pregnancy. Management guidelines for pregnant patients with HHT are reviewed.

Mutations in RASA1 and GDF2 identified in patients with clinical features of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder caused by mutations in ENG, ACVRL1 and SMAD4, which function in regulating the transforming growth factor beta and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways. Symptoms of HHT can be present in individuals who test negative for mutations in these three genes indicating other genes may be involved. In this study, we tested for mutations in two genes, RASA1 and GDF2, which were recently reported to be involved in vascular disorders. To determine whether RASA1 and GDF2 have phenotypic overlap with HHT and should be included in diagnostic testing, we developed a next-generation sequencing assay to detect mutations in 93 unrelated individuals who previously tested negative for mutations in ENG, ACVRL1 and SMAD4, but were clinically suspected to have HHT. Pathogenic mutations in RASA1 were identified in two samples (2.15%) and a variant of unknown significance in GDF2 was detected in one sample. All three individuals experienced epistaxis with dermal lesions described in medical records as telangiectases. These results indicate that the inclusion of RASA1 and GDF2 screening in individuals suspected to have HHT will increase the detection rate and aid clinicians in making an accurate diagnosis.

Pregnancy and vascular liver disease

Vascular disorders of the liver frequently affect women of childbearing age. Pregnancy and the postpartum are prothrombotic states. Pregnancy seems to be a trigger for Budd-Chiari syndrome in patients with an underlying prothrombotic disorder. Whether pregnancy is a risk factor for other vascular liver disorders is unknown. In women with a known vascular liver disorder and a desire for pregnancy, stabilisation of the liver disease, including the use of a portal decompressive procedure when indicated, should be reached prior to conception. The presence of esophageal varices should be screened and adequate prophylaxis of bleeding applied in a manner similar to what is recommended for patients with cirrhosis. Most women likely benefit from anticoagulation during pregnancy and the postpartum. Labor and delivery are best managed by a multidisciplinary team with experience in this situation. Assisted vaginal delivery is the preferred mode of delivery. Although the risk of miscarriage and premature birth is heightened, current management of these diseases makes it very likely to see the birth of a live baby when pregnancy reaches 20 weeks of gestation.

Two cases of high output heart failure caused by hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

High-output cardiac failure is a rare complication of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) usually caused by shunting of blood through atriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the liver. We describe two cases of high output heart failure due to large hepatic AVMs. Clinical suspicion of HHT based on detailed history taking and physical examination is essential for early detection and proper management of heart failure associated with HHT.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular dysplasia characterized by epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectasias, and arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in the brain, lung, liver, gastrointestinal tract, or spine. While pregnant women with HHT are known to have increased risks due to pulmonary AVMs, little is known about any increased risk for fetal birth defects or other adverse pregnancy outcomes. To investigate potential increased risk, individuals with a clinical diagnosis of HHT were asked to complete a survey composed of four sections: demographics, personal history of HHT, personal history of birth defects (modeled after state registries), and reproductive history. A total of 226 participants reported outcomes of 560 pregnancies, as well as self-reported personal history of birth defects. Of the 560 pregnancies, 450 (80.4%) resulted in 457 live births and 63 (13.8%) were pre-term. Of the 110 pregnancy losses, 80 (72.7%) were first trimester and five were stillborn. Anomalies considered to be medically or cosmetically significant were reported in 17 babies (3.7%). The presence of significant anomalies was not significantly associated with whether the baby had an HHT diagnosis (P=0.55) or the gender of the parent with HHT (P=0.32). Four liveborn babies and one stillborn had a cerebral AVM or hemorrhage in the perinatal period. Prevalence of uterine hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, placental abnormalities, low-birth weight, and infertility did not appear increased over the general population. These data provide some reassurance that HHT does not lead to an appreciable increased risk for birth defects or other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: an overview of diagnosis, management, and pathogenesis

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome) is a disorder of development of the vasculature characterized by telangiectases and arteriovenous malformations in specific locations. It is one of most common monogenic disorders, but affected individuals are frequently not diagnosed. The most common features of the disorder, nosebleeds, and telangiectases on the lips, hands, and oral mucosa are often quite subtle. Optimal management requires an understanding of the specific presentations of these vascular malformations, especially their locations and timing during life. Telangiectases in the nasal and gastrointestinal mucosa and brain arteriovenous malformations generally present with hemorrhage. However, complications of arteriovenous malformations in the lungs and liver are generally the consequence of blood shunting through these abnormal blood vessels, which lack a capillary bed and thus result in a direct artery-to-vein connection. Mutations in at least five genes are thought to result in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, but mutations in two genes (ENG and ACVRL1/ALK1) cause approximately 85% of cases. The frequency of arteriovenous malformations in particular organs and the occurrence of certain rare symptoms are dependent on the gene involved. Molecular genetic testing is used to establish the genetic subtype of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in a clinically affected individual and family, and for early diagnosis to allow for appropriate screening and preventive treatment.

Natural history and outcome of hepatic vascular malformations in a large cohort of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic teleangiectasia

BACKGROUND

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a genetic disease characterized by teleangiectasias involving virtually every organ. There are limited data in the literature regarding the natural history of liver vascular malformations in hemorrhagic telangiectasia and their associated morbidity and mortality.

AIM

This prospective cohort study sought to assess the outcome of liver involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia patients.

METHODS

We analyzed 16 years of surveillance data from a tertiary hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia referral center in Italy. We considered for inclusion in this study 502 consecutive Italian patients at risk of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia who presented at the hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia referral center and underwent a multidisciplinary screening protocol for the diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Of the 502 individuals assessed in the center, 154 had hepatic vascular malformations and were the subject of the study; 198 patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and without hepatic vascular malformations were the controls. Additionally, we report the response to treatment of patients with complicated hepatic vascular malformations.

RESULTS

The 154 patients were included and followed for a median period of 44 months (range 12-181); of these, eight (5.2%) died from VM-related complications and 39 (25.3%) experienced complications. The average incidence rates of death and complications were 1.1 and 3.6 per 100 person-years, respectively. The median overall survival and event-free survival after diagnosis were 175 and 90 months, respectively. The rate of complete response to therapy was 63%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that substantial morbidity and mortality are associated with liver vascular malformations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia patients.